# Tristram — Idylls of the King character guide

> Tristram in Idylls of the King by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Sir Tristram, the Tristram, Rode Tristram

**First appearance:** 0011-the-last-tournament

## Snapshot

A harper-knight whose music and lawless jousts break the King's peace and his own two marriages at once.

## Who they are

Tristram rides into the later court as a famous knight and musician, but his playing with Queen Isolt makes 'broken music' of Arthur's harmony and of his bride's name down in Brittany. Little Dagonet's quip lands because it is true: Tristram came too late, swore by the shell when the life had flown, and is but a ghost of the old vows. His restlessness shows how the Round Table's ideals fray once the Holy Quest is over.

## In the story

### [The Last Tournament](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/chapters/the-last-tournament)

Tristram returns from Brittany, wins the tournament, and later reunites with Isolt of Ireland at Tintagil, flaunting his love.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/tristram
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters